Main Description

Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas, like Professor Jiao's earlier work, Ten Lectures on the Use of Medicinals, is read by virtually every student of Chinese medicine in China. Professor Jiao is not only a nationally recognized master but also a teacher and author whose works are considered essential for the aspiring Chinese physician. Jiao Shu-De's theories and extensive knowledge of Chinese medicinals find full expression in these lectures on formulas. He moves beyond theory and provides us with the most practical and obtainable information for use in everyday clinical situations. Those who apply Jiao's knowledge to their own clinical cases will find the results to be outstanding. Jiao's work is an essential guide for answering the questions and solving the problems that clinicians face in everyday practice.

Professor Jiao has compiled over 200 commonly used traditional formulas and has further added several dozen formulas from his own experience. This information is set out as ten lectures, which follow this outline: Lecture 1 covers issues that one must pay attention to in clinically applying formulas. Lecture 2 discusses formulas that treat the qi, rectify the blood, and supplement and nurture. Lecture 3 discusses dispersing formulas, harmonizing formulas, and formulas that simultaneously treat the exterior and interior. Lecture 4 discusses wind-expelling formulas, cold-expelling formulas, and damp-expelling formulas. While Lecture 5 is about formulas that clear fire, disperse summerheat, and moisten dryness, Lecture 6 discusses phlegm-eliminating formulas, abductive-dispersing formulas, and offensive-precipitation formulas. Lecture 7 discusses ejecting formulas, astringing and securing formulas, and insect-killing formulas; Lecture 8 discusses heavy-settling formulas, toxin-resolving formulas, and cancer-preventing formulas; and Lecture 9 discusses commonly used gynecological and pediatric formulas. Lecture 10 introduces a few of Jiao's own empirical formulas.

As you read this book you may feel as though clouds of misunderstanding have been cleared from your mind. The cogency of the information and the clarity with which it is presented make it a remarkable resource for student, clinician, and instructor alike.